Welcome

Welcome to the POZ Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Finished Reading This? You can collapse this or any other box on this page by clicking the
symbol in each box.

Welcome to Am I Infected

Welcome to the "Am I Infected?" POZ forum.

New members -- those who have posted three or fewer messages -- are permitted to post questions and responses, free of charge (make them count!). Ongoing participation in the "Am I Infected?" forum -- posting more than three questions or responses -- requires a paid subscription.

A seven-day subscription is $9.99, a 30-day subscription is $14.99 and a 90-day subscription is $24.99.

Anyone who needs to post more than three messages in the "Am I Infected?" forum -- including past, present and future POZ Forums members -- will need to subscribe, with secure payments made via PayPal.

There will be no charge to continue reading threads in the "Am I Infected?" forum, nor will there be a charge for participating in any of the Main Forums; Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits; and Off Topic Forums. Similarly, all POZ pages, including our "HIV Transmission and Risks" and "Am I Infected? (A Guide to Testing for HIV)" basics, will remain accessible to all.

NOTE: HIV testing questions will still need to be posted in the "Am I Infected?" forum; attempts to post HIV symptoms or testing questions in any other forums will be considered violations of our rules of membership and subject to time-outs and permanent bans.

To learn how to upgrade your Forums account to participate beyond three posts in the "Am I Infected?" Forum, please click here.

Thank you for your understanding and future support of the best online support service for people living with, affected by and at risk for HIV.

Author
Topic: HIV from dentist? (Read 14473 times)

alright, so not that long ago I shook hands with someone who was HIV+ and noticed that they had a cut on their hand that may or may not have scabbed over. After I shook hands with them I noticed that I had a cut on my finger that had touched their cut. Do I need to get tested over this? This has been worrying me a lot. Thanks in advance for your help.

So would blood have needed to of been involved in order for infection to occur? I just keep worrying that some small minute amount of blood got in that I didn't notice. Also, further clarification would be great as to how infection could not have occured if two cuts touched. Thanks.

Well it's been a while, but I'm back with another question, hopefully my last. I'm sure it sounds ridiculous, but here it goes. Yesterday I was at the dentist and I noticed something on the dentists mask that looked like dry blood. She kept touching her mask to pull it up and down and then put the hand that touched the spot on the mask in my mouth after she had been doing some work in my mouth which caused my gums to bleed because I have sensitive gums. Should I be worried about catching HIV or anything else over this incident? I know the spot on her mask was not anything from me because it was on her mask when I sat down. I realize this incident may sound crazy but I'm kinda stressing out over it. Thanks for your help.

You're hanging around in the world of what ifs. That's very unhealthy.

Even IF there was blood on the dentist's mask and even IF (a big if) it was from someone who may have been HIV+, that is not a circumstance in which you would have been exposed to the virus in a viable form.

Please read the lesson on this site about HIV transmission. You need to get the basics down. There's a link to that lesson in the Welcome thread which opens this section. The epidemic is going to be around for a long time to come. Everyone needs to know the basics to protect themselves and be spared the kind of unnecessary worries you're having.

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

It's high time you read the Transmission Lesson linked to in the Welcome Thread like you were asked to way back in September. You need to learn what is and isn't a risk for hiv and that's where you need to start.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

A couple of weeks ago I performed oral sex on guy a handful of times while I had a canker sore in my mouth. At the time, remembering what a low risk oral sex is for HIV, I wasn't too concerned about it. However, I have recently read that it is possible to contract HIV this way. Do I need to get tested if I gave oral sex while I had a canker sore in my mouth? I'm sure that I at least got some of his pre-cum in my mouth which is mainly why I'm worried about these encounters. Thanks for you help guys. Also, if this is not a risk, why wouldn't it be?

There is an extremely small theoretical risk where performing fellatio is concerned. Insertive oral is no risk. Receptive oral is extremely low risk. Studies of sero-discordant couples which detailed thousands of acts of unprotected oral resulted in no seroconversions of the negative partner.

The mouth is a very inhospitable place for hiv infection to occur. Saliva inhibits infection. But all sexually active people should have regular sexual heath checkups that include testing for all STD's..... at least anually.

You've apparently well named yourself here. From what I can see of your concerns they are more about feelings than actual risks. Along with becoming well informed about the real risks for transmission, which sexually are unprotected vaginal and anal intercourse, you're beginning to convince me that you would do well to see a counselor or other professional and discuss your anxieties about the whole subject of HIV.

Nothing you have presented thus far put you at any real risk for transmission based in HIV science. It's all HIV boogey man stuff.

I agree, and I will openly admit that I do worry way too much. Also, looking back at my old questions, it seems silly that I was even worried. However, I feel that being worried about contracting HIV from oral sex while I had a canker sore in my mouth is a valid concern as I have read that having a sore in your mouth increases your risk, and I even read that they have found cases of people contracting it in this way. This is the only reason I was concerned. I engaged in oral sex because I thought it to be risk free, but apparently it isn't. I understand that I probably do not need to get tested, but still don't understand how if pre-cum were to enter into a sore how it would not infect the person. I really appreciate everyone's patience in answering my questions. I just can't afford to be worried about this right now.

Your saliva has over 14 elements including proteins which provide a very effective barrier against HIV transmission. The level of HIV if present is very, very low in precum.

Longterm studies of sero-discordant couples, both gay and straight, who had lots of unprotected mutual oral sex and only protected intercourse have resulted in not a single sero-negative partner having become infected. The evidence is overwhelmingly that giving oral is a risk more in theory than reality. If that isn't enough comfort for you then you need to decide whether or not to give unprotected oral.

Additionally concerning the same guy, we never had unprotected sex, but when we were fooling around one time his penis which had some pre-cum on it touched my vagina. Would this be a risk for HIV? I'm sorry for the weird questions, but I'm racking my mind with ways that I could have possibly contracted HIV from this guy until he gets his test done in a few days.

No, getting some pre-cum on your vaginal area is not a risk. Unprotected anal or vaginal PENETRATION is what's risky.

What you describe is essentially what is called frottage - the act of rubbing genitals together - and frottage is NOT a risk. UNPROTECTED PENETRATION IS WHAT'S RISKY. Got it?

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

ALTHOUGH YOU DON'T NEED TO TEST OVER WHAT YOU'VE BROUGHT TO THE FORUM, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results. Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Stop wracking your mind and start paying attention to what you've already been told. Re-read your thread until it starts to sink in.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

"A combination of features of the oral cavity makes it relatively resistant to HIV transmission; a thick epithelial layer, low number of CD4+ target cells and presence of antiviral antibodies and various endogenous inhibitors. Resistance to HIV infection at mucosal surfaces may be also related to HIV-speciﬁc CD8+ T cells responses in some individuals and may be the basis for protective vaccine design (Challacombe and Sweet, 2002). Nevertheless, these antiviral mechanisms are not always suﬃcient, especially if large amounts of HIV enter the oral cavity (as can occur with ejaculation into the mouth) or if continuity of the oral mucosa is lost (as in tearing, ulcers, oral lesions, periodontitis or gingivitis)."

Given this, I'm assuming it would be wise for me to get tested considering I did have an ulcer in my mouth.

Alright, so if the guy that the incident occurred with tested negative 8 weeks after his last possible exposure, should he be pretty confident in his result? Am I correct in assuming that he should still get re-tested at the 13 week mark as well? Thanks.

Unfortunately I am back because of another incident that has happened. About 3 weeks ago I was hanging out with a friend and things escalated to sex. I refused to do anything until he put a condom on and he assured me he wouldn't, but before I knew it he started having anal sex with me. At this point I should mention that I had taken an Ambien before this incident and was so out of it that I actually thought he had put on a condom. After I realized he didn't I pushed him away then he proceeded to have vaginal sex with me. To my knowledge he did not cum inside me.

Obviously I know that I need to get tested over this. I asked him about his status and he said that he had just gotten tested 9 weeks before and it was long after he had been with anyone else so I shouldn't worry. I think I can trust him, but after what he did I'm not so sure. Anyways, I can't stand the waiting. If I get tested at 6 weeks can I feel pretty confident with a negative result?

I guess I came here for a little bit of support. I hate that I'm back into a situation with a real risk this time. I'm about to start grad school in a few weeks and I really wish I didn't have this lingering in the meantime. I really appreciate the advice and support that you guys give here. It helps a lot.

Yeah, I know. The only reason I'm semi-inclined to trust him is because he's a friend of the family and he is an athlete who does ultra triathlons and that sort of thing. I guess I was assuming that if he had HIV it would affect his performance, and it makes sense that he would get tested all of the time forhis sportt, which is why he said he had gotten tested in the first place. Anyways, I'm just kinda freaking out over this. I have read in several places that a 6 week negative test is a good sign. Is this not the case then?

Yeah, I know. The only reason I'm semi-inclined to trust him is because he's a friend of the family and he is an athlete who does ultra triathlons and that sort of thing. I guess I was assuming that if he had HIV it would affect his performance, and it makes sense that he would get tested all of the time forhis sportt, which is why he said he had gotten tested in the first place.

Well whatever.

Anyways, I'm just kinda freaking out over this. I have read in several places that a 6 week negative test is a good sign. Is this not the case then?

Most people who are going to test positive do so by the 6 week so a 6 week negative is an excellent indicator of a negative result at week 13. You should use the time ahead productively. Go about your normal life.

I just don't know what I'm going to do until I can take a test. The only thing that's been keeping me going is the fact that he told me that he's been tested. Sigh. I just hate this. I don't know if I can deal with this. It's only been 3 weeks....

We're not a counselling outfit. We just provide advice about HIV transmission and testing. If you need a shoulder to cry on, you should see a therapist or counsellor. We simply cannot provide that sort of support.

You can keep your mind off this by staying off hiv websites. Go do something productive. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or food-bank. Redecorate your house. Read a book. Do whatever, just stay off hiv websites.

And as Matty said, we're not a counseling service. If you need additional emotional support to get through this time, then find a counselor you can see face-to-face. We cannot help you with that even if we wanted to.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Well it's been 44 days since my last encounter and I just tested negative with the Oral Oraquick test. I'm going to go back at 13 weeks of course, but can I feel good about this result? Has anyone known anyone who has tested negative at 6 weeks go on to test positive at 13 weeks? Thanks :-)

Can you feel good about a negative test result at 6 weeks? Are you listening to yourself at all?

There's every reason to believe you will continue to test negative because as far as I am concerned you never had a risk worth testing over in the first place. Get busy with other things, get on with your life and stop the drama. It's a slam dunk that you will test negative again at 13 weeks.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Is it possible for a girl to infect a guy with HIV if she is on her period? I was wondering if it could happen during fingering or oral sex. I'm only asking because I had protected sex with a guy the other night and right in the middle he pulled out and I noticed I had started my period. He had gotten my blood on his hand when he took the condom off and had performed oral on me before sex, although he didn't see any blood present. I'm pretty sure I don't have HIV but still need to go back in a few weeks over the prior unprotected incident. I just want to make sure that there's no way the guy I was with last night could get anything from the incident. I made sure we used a condom to be safe, but now I'm thinking that because of my period I could have made it unsafe. Sorry to keep coming back with worries. Thanks for the advice. I'm also assuming that if a condom doesn't break that means HIV transmission is not possible, am I correct?

It doesn't matter if you started your period, you used a condom for intercourse. If there had been enough blood present when he gave you oral, he WOULD have tasted it. It's not uncommon for intercourse to bring on a period when it's due.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Thanks Ann, you have helped put my mind at ease. I'm assuming it doesn't matter that any of my blood got on his hands?

I do have one more question about condom use which might be dumb, but here goes. Is it ok to use condoms while having sex in the shower? I'm just wondering if the condom would be ok if water were to hit it in the process. Also, should you always use lube when you use condoms? I just want to do everything to make sure that they don't break. Also, are condoms effective in preventing the spread of all STDs, not including Herpes and HPV which I have heard you can still get? Thanks for your help.

It's ok to use condoms in the shower as long as you're not using any oil based products.

If you're having vaginal intercourse and are producing plenty of your own natural lube, then you don't really need extra. However, lube is a must for anal. The lube is to stop friction tearing the condom.

Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use them with confidence.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Last question. Is it easy to tell if a condom has broken or has a tear in it? I'm pretty sure that the condoms were alright after we had sex, but I just started thinking of the possibility of a small tear happening....

Good to know! Thank you all so much for your continued help and advice even though I have worried over many non-HIV related incidents. I just have to make it through this last incident that actually warranted testing. It's time for me to free myself from all of this HIV worrying, for which I will probably seek professional counseling. Thanks again.

I remember during our first encounter when he had pulled out the condom had fallen down a little bit to where it was covering about half of his penis. Were we both still protected?

He also performed oral on me. I have been told that this was no risk to me for HIV. Is this correct?? I was just thinking, what if he got some blood or saliva into a cut or lesion I had? I used to have HPV...could it get in that way?

I remember during our first encounter when he had pulled out the condom had fallen down a little bit to where it was covering about half of his penis. Were we both still protected?

He also performed oral on me. I have been told that this was no risk to me for HIV. Is this correct?? I was just thinking, what if he got some blood or saliva into a cut or lesion I had? I used to have HPV...could it get in that way?

As long as the head of his penis was covered it was protected intercourse.

Recieving oral is NO RISK. Why would it be? It's no different than kissing when you think about it. Not only is saliva not infectious, but it also contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage hiv and render it unable to infect.

You've been coming here for over two years now. If you haven't learned the basics of hiv transmission and how to protect yourself from hiv by now, I don't see what more we can do for you.

If it takes giving you a time out to encourage you to seek professional help with your hiv phobia, then that's what you'll get. Please consider yourself warned.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Well I just came back to say that I tested negative on Monday the 13th, which was a couple days over 13 weeks. Thanks for all of your help and support and putting up with all of my questions and worries. I feel well-equipped with the knowledge that you guys have given me and have definitely learned from my mistakes. Thanks again!